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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-07-2012 09:08 PM

Frogwatch

Re: What is this piece of sailing gear?

Am trying to figure out if something like this could be used as a sort of "self tailing" winch handle although I actually dont understand how self tailing works and never felt I needed it.

11-07-2012 08:17 PM

Dean101

Re: What is this piece of sailing gear?

I like Smack's "newbie whacker" idea answer better even though everybody else seemed to concur on the jam cleat thing!

11-07-2012 07:31 PM

svHyLyte

Re: What is this piece of sailing gear?

It is a cam tightener from the '50's-60's. It was part of a fitting that included a bullseye through which a line was led, then through a cam cleat, and then a post, all on a backing plate typically fitted to a boom or mast on a small boat. One would slide the cam tightener over the post and lead the line over the wheel and under the cam on the handle. With that, one could "tail" the line with one hand and tighten it with the other and "crank" as needed. They were commonly used to tighten outhauls and reefing lines on booms that weren't large enough to take a winch but that needed a mechanical advantage to set the lines up properly or on small boat masts. One handle was all that was needed for several fittings. They actually worked pretty well.

Jam cleat, where the roundish knob on the handle goes into the winch, effectively holding the bitter end right at the winch (but not like a self tailer as it would not self tension).

11-07-2012 05:53 PM

RobGallagher

Re: What is this piece of sailing gear?

I believe it's a cleat.

11-07-2012 05:52 PM

bogdog

Re: What is this piece of sailing gear?

Looks like a jam cleat with a handle to help release the line being held.

11-07-2012 05:51 PM

sailordave

Re: What is this piece of sailing gear?

Believe it's an old style jam cleat/clutch. I have some snatch blocks w/ the same logo; came w/ my boat.

11-07-2012 05:42 PM

Frogwatch

What is this piece of sailing gear?

This belongs toa friend and I cannot locate him anymore. The company logo on it is "N M" with a stylized sailboat between the N and M. I looked up the patent number and it has something to do with winches.